The Donner Family Reunion was held Sunday, August 7th in Manila, Arkansas.  This is my mother’s side of the family.  We were unable to attend because Dad had surgery on the 2nd and Mom didn’t want to leave him alone and I can’t drive.  I was going to set up and try to sell raffle tickets but the clan got together and surprised me with a huge donation.

They passed the hat and what was collected, my cousin Carolyn Bailey matched.  Another cousin, Geri Holmes had done a quilt for my auction.  Since I wasn’t there they voted to auction it off there and keep it in the family. There were a couple guys that still wanted some chances on the rifle.

I was so shocked when my cousin Betty Bollinger contacted me to tell me what they had done. I am proud to have Donner blood running through my veins even if they had to resort to cannibalism in the 1800’s to stay alive!

Thank you Donner’s, it was greatly appreciated.  I now have my treatment and airfare paid for.  Dad doesn’t want me to go down there by myself but we are having a hard time coming up with a birth certificate to get him a pssport.  I’ve decided he doesn’t exist on paper!  His grandfather was a doctor and delivered him.  Dad said he must have taken one look at him and didn’t want to claim him!